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23 New Hampshire Bar News (n.s.) 1 (2012-2013)

handle is hein.barjournals/nhbn0023 and id is 1 raw text is: .Supporting Members of the Legal Profession & Their Service to the Public and Justice System NEW HAMPSHIRE BAR ASSOCIATION JUNE 15, 2012 An Official Publication of the New Hampshire Bar Association VO L. 23, NO. I Civics in Action Reaches Goal With a jubilant sense of accomplishment, two dozen attorneys who served as volunteer speakers gathered with leaders of the Bar Association and the Bar Foundation last week to toast the success of the inaugural Civics in Action program. Civics in Action, a joint adult-education initiative of the Association and the Bar Foundation, last summer set the ambitious goal of creating an interactive program to raise awareness of the importance of civics education, re- cruiting and training presenters, and then lining up speak- ing engagements at every Rotary Club in NH - all in less than a year. The first program was held in Concord on Sept. 13, and the 58th and last presentation was made in Ports- mouth on May 21. More than 2,500 Rotarians participated in the pro- gram, which used the questions asked of immigrants seeking US citizenship through naturalization, as the starting point to raise awareness of the philosophical foundation and the structure of our government. The local Rotary organizations were chosen as a responsive audience for the first year. The group emphasizes community involvement and has a con- sistent meeting structure that relies on outside speakers. Jennifer L. Parent, NHBA President, launched the pro- gram and led the trainings of 28 Bar members who served as ambassadors taking the program to every Rotary group in the state. At a reception for the ambassadors held at the Bar Center last week, Par- ent lauded the volun- teers, singling them out for recognition based r on how many programs Z each presented, how far they traveled to do it, even how early some had to rise to present a breakfast program. Parent also asked the ambassadors for suggestions on what Civics in Action could do as a follow-up, to build on the positive momentum and the awareness created so far by the program. A grant from the Arthur & Esther Nighswander Justice Fund, a newly created endowment of the NH Bar Founda- tion, funded organizing and materials costs for the initial year of Civics in Action. American Legacy booklets con- taining the US Constitution and other essential documents of our country's founding were distributed to every Rotarian who attended Civics in Action. Amendments Make Ballot; Early- Offer Bill Passes In a flurry of activity last week, the NH Legislature addressed the remaining bills from an action-packed ses- sion. This roundup only scratches the surface of a busy session, and does not include final actions on bills requir- ing the governor's signature. Bar members are encouraged to check the nh.gov website and look for Chaptered final versions to find bills that have been signed into law by Gov. Lynch. On June 6, the legislature voted to put two constitu- tional amendments on the November ballot, and reject- ed two others. Voters will consider CACR 13, an amend- ment banning an income tax, and CACR 26, which gives the legislature concurrent but prevailing power to write rules for the courts. Among the bills that have been passed into law is HB408 that creates an attorney exemption to the SAFE Act. (See article on page 8.) Also approved: SB 406 that creates an early-offer process f e:dical malpractice cases. Backers say it will expedite settlement for some plaintiffs and reduce liti- gation costs; opponents say the bill puts undue pressure on litigants who agree to the process but turn down the resulting offer. They would then face the risk of paying for defense costs if the plaintiff does not win the case or receives a verdict no larger than 125 percent of the of- fer. The margin of passage was not sufficient to survive a veto; Gov. Lynch has not indicated if he will sign or veto it. Earlier, passed into law was HB344 which estab- lished a new process for evaluating judges that will, in some circumstances, make specific judges' evaluation re- LEGISIATION continued on page 38 THEDOCKET 2 President's last column. Jennifer Parent says thank you to the Bar for the privi- lege of serving as president. Attributes of good judges. Going be- ond the appointed v. elected debate over judicial selection, a roundtable of citizens discussed what makes a good judge. 6 Meet the BOG. Members of the 2012-13 NHBA Board of Governors are profiled. 7H onorary members. Bar members in their fifth decade as lawyers reflect on their careers. 8SAFE Act. Signed into law is the long- awaited attorney exemption from the mortgage licensing rules that stopped lawyers from helping clients in talks with lenders. . . ..Intellectual Property Law Pages 14-18 Municipal & Government Law Pages 19-21 I1)1n Memoriam: We remember Edgar AMiner, who in his retirement did more pro bono work than some lawyers do in their entire careers. 1 2 Tables for 8. NH Women's Bar As- sociation uses an informal concept tables for eight to spur conversations 2 9Atn: Law firm employers. National Jspeakers are on the bill for workshops on best employment practices, sponsored by the NHBA Gender Equality Committee. 3 B8Bankruptcy court changes. Judge Michael Deasy is retiring, and so is Clerk of Court George Vannah. 3 9 t-a-Glance. Joshua Minty briefs Jreaders on the May 2012 opinions of the NH Supreme Court. District Court decisions. Summaries Vof US District Court decisions. between experienced and newer lawyers. [I ouhave anindispens. 2QComing Soon - CLEs. At a glance, epagal eBar Ltcheck out the fall schedule for sciaon iv ParalegalProfessional NHBA CLE. eh e S page Ca4 bO4 0n W Ira 0 =3

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